It Is Rapti, Not Karnali

Apropos of the editorial ‘Karnali On Focus’ (TRN, February 4, 2001, Sunday) I would like to make a comment. In the editorial Karnali zone is mistakenly mentioned as the most Maoist-affected zone of the country by claiming that most of the fatal clashes between the police and the rebels have taken places in Karnali zone. In fact, it is Rapti zone which has been badly affected by the Maoist insurgencies. Among the districts badly influenced by Maoists are Rukum, Rolpa, Salyan and Jajarkot, the first three are in the Rapti zone and the last in Bheri zone. In fact, only two districts—Kalikot and Dolpa—of Karnali zone are under the influence of Maoist activities. I hope the popular national daily like TRN will not make such errors in its editorials in the days to come.

Krishna Khanal
Min Bhawan, Kathmandu

(Thank you for pointing out our errors in the editorial—Editor)